The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will conduct two hazard reduction burns in Dharawal National Park and Budderoo National Park starting Sunday 7 March.
Traffic controllers will be in place on Darkes Forest Road and Jamberoo Mountain Road during the operations. Smoke may impact visibility and drivers are urged to take care and follow directions from traffic crews. For safety, NPWS will temporarily close Maddens Falls walk and lookout, and Track 10 in Dharawal National Park. The Barren Grounds Nature Reserve and Budderoo National Park, with the exception of Minnamurra Rainforest Visitors Centre, will be closed during the operation.
The NPWS hazard reduction program for 2021 is focussing on undertaking essential burns in areas close to neighbours and important assets and protecting significant habitat to ensure ongoing recovery of the State's wildlife that was impacted by the 2019-20 summer bushfires.
Approximately 56 hectares will be treated in Dharawal National Park, near the Fire Shed in Darkes Forest. In Budderoo National Park, approximately 465 hectares will be treated near the junction of the Jamberoo Mountain Road and the Budderoo Track.
These areas were not directly impacted by fire in either the summer of 2019-20 or 2020-21 and it is important that these burns go ahead to help protect residents from future fire events. It will also help to maintain biodiversity and reduce fuel loads in the area.
Undertaking these burns will help manage the potential risk of bushfire to communities and the environment. This work also provides firefighters safe zones and access where they can defend properties should a bushfire occur.
All burns across NSW will continue to be coordinated with the Rural Fire Service to ensure the impact on the community, including from smoke, are assessed at a regional level.
Details on specific burns will be made available in advance on the Rural Fire Service website, 'Fires Near Me' app, and on the NPWS Alerts website, which also includes updates on resulting park closures.
For health information relating to smoke from bush fires and hazard reduction burning, visit NSW Health or the Asthma Foundation.
For up to date information on these, and other, planned hazard reduction activities, visit the Rural Fire Service.
